The Walnut Harvest

Walnuts are harvested much like almonds. The vehicle that goes down between the rows of trees has sweepers and blowers in front of each of the four tires. It also has a long vise-like grip that clamps onto the tree trunk and gives the tree a vigorous shake. Those little specks you see in the picture are the walnuts falling as the tree is been shaken. The sweepers and blowers at each tire clears away the fallen walnuts so as not to crush them as the vehicle moves from tree to tree. Then the walnuts are swept into piles and vacuumed up by another vehicle. A large conveyor is used to load the walnuts into open top trailers. The recent wind and rain storm we had sure left unharvested walnuts all over the ground. One farmer told me that if it continued to rain the walnuts could get moldy inside the shells and not fit to sell. But luckily different varieties of walnuts are harvested at different times. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

It was a stormy day when I got this shot of wild turkeys. But the rain was a welcome site as its been too dry for too long. It must be mating season as they didn't want to move too much when I approached them. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

The Almond Harvest

Its that time of the year in Tehama County when the almonds are harvested. First they shake the trees and all the fallen almonds are raked into a pile between the trees (see first picture). A large vacuum truck sucks up the almonds (dirt twigs and shells) and dispenses them onto a conveyor which loads the trucks (see second picture). They are then taken to the plants for processing. One farmer told me this year's crop wasn't as good a last year but he'll take. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

Truck Wreck on Highway 99 E

A couple days ago I was traveling east on highway 99 E and saw this truck overturned in the middle of the highway near the Vina turnoff. It must have just happened as no cars were backed up. I had to make a delivery in Vina, and since the highway patrol was already there, I turned around and took another route as I was behind in my deliveries. I hope no one was hurt. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Shopping Malls in Proberta?

Most folks in this area would be surprised to know that the tiny community of Proberta has a shopping Mall. Well here's proof that Proberta does in fact have a shopping mall. And the mall shares the building with the Post Office. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Wild Turkeys In The Yard

Just happened to catch this group of wild turkeys as they fed on my neighbors front yard. One had a limp as if a leg had been damaged but that don't stop them from flying. We have a lot of wild turkeys in this area. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

High Road or Low Road?

Recently I had to make a delivery in Cottonwood's countryside (out where there's mostly gravel roads). It was the same day I had a flat tire and the weather was toasty. When I got to this point I decided to take the low road as the bridge was very narrow. I'm just glad the creek was dry. After this delivery I had one more and it was in Platina. Sure glad I didn't have another flat or I would have had to call a tow truck. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).